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Family Fun

Family
Play & Learning Activities

Central Indiana Family Fun Guide

Central Indiana has a lot to offer families, including museums, parks, events, and more. Whether you are looking for things to do on a rainy day or planning an action-packed staycation, we have outlined some of the great things our city (and state) has to offer.

Included in this guide:

  • Featured: Winter farmer’s market guide
  • Local indoor and outdoor play experiences
  • Hamilton County Activities
  • Hendricks County Activities
  • Marion County Activities
  • Family-friendly day trips
  • Indiana Access Pass
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Child Care Answers not only helped me navigate child care, but also helped me connect to places in my community where I could explore with my son and build new experiences together. I am forever grateful for their support.
Jenny
Central Indiana mother
Around my community

Local experiences for your family

Looking to get out and try new local experiences? Check out our Central Indy bingo cards and other fun things to do around town.

PDF Resource

Sledding Hill Bingo

Looking to try out different sledding hills in Central Indy? Check out our bingo card and visit all 16!
Download
PDF Resource

Signs of Winter Scavenger Hunt

Get outside and search the neighborhood or a local park for these signs of winter.
Download
PDF Resource

Playground Bingo

Looking for the best, most interesting park in Indy? Search no farther! Visit at different park each week with our Playground Bingo Card.
Download

Inclusive Playground Guide

Looking for a playground where children of all abilities can play in the same space? Indy’s Child lists local inclusive playgrounds where you can find equipment for all physical abilities and play experiences that meet a variety of needs and interests.
Indy's Child

Conner Prairie Inclusive Playground

Built in 2020, this playground adds to the awesome features and inclusive experiences already present at Connor Prairie.
Learn More

Westermeier Commons Park

Two specific areas for children ages 2-5 and 5-12, including wheelchair accessible features, non-traditional play structures, and a separate splash pad. 920 Central Park Dr. West, Carmel
Learn More

Freedom Trail Park

Both wheelchair and sensory friendly, Freedom Trail Park includes a sensory garden with over 2000 plants, as well as multiple interactive sensory elements - the first of it’s kind in the state of Indiana. 500 Deer Walk Trace, Westfield, IN
Learn More

“Everyone’s Playground” at River Heritage Park

Everyone’s Playground was specifically designed for inclusion and accessibility for children with various special needs. 11813 River Road, Carmel, IN
Learn More

Independence Park

Indiana’s first all-accessible playground, including a sensory area designed with specifically for children with Autism. 2100 S Morgantown Road, Greenwood, IN
Learn More
Around my community

Free, Indoor Playgrounds

Looking for a place to play inside? These free, indoor playgrounds are an awesome place to take your kids on a rainy (or sunny!) day.

  • The Park indoor playground at Trader’s Point Church
  • The Tree House indoor playground at Plainfield Christian Church
  • The Center at the Well indoor playground | Brownsburg
  • Cornerstone Lutheran Church | Fishers
Playground Hours
Exploring the outdoors

Indiana Parks and Caverns

Explore Indiana with these hiking trails & outdoor experiences around the state.

  • Clifty Falls State Park
  • Hoosier National Forest
  • Indiana Caverns
  • Marengo Cave
  • McCormick’s Creek State Park
  • The Adventure Hiking Trail | O’Bannon Woods State Park
  • Turkey Run | Shades State Park
Top Hiking Trails
Featured Resource

Nature Centers

Indiana is home to many nature centers and nature parks, including many of the state parks. Most of the centers have programs and activities to help children explore the environment around them and experience the natural world.
View PDF Download
Around my community

Farmer’s Market Fun

A farmer’s market is more than a place to buy fruits and veggies. Try some of these play and learning activities while experiencing fresh, local produce.

Play and Learning Ideas

  • Dance to live music
  • Find a fruit or vegetable for every color of the rainbow
  • Allow child to pay and count change
  • Meet the farmers, ask questions about their harvest
  • Try new foods and talk about what you like and do not like

 

Featured Resource

Winter Farmers Market Guide

Your resource for the winter farmers markets in Hendricks, Hamilton, and Marion counties.
View PDF Download
County Specific Resources

Exploring Hendricks County

Your guide to what is happening around Hendricks County. Check out more things to do, including events and restaurants at visithendrickscounty.com.

Outdoor Winter Fun In Hendricks County

Parks in Hendricks County offer some wonderful ways to enjoy winter in the great outdoors all season long.

Trail Riding at Natural Valley Ranch

Natural Valley Ranch in Brownsburg offers trail rides year-round, weather permitting. Not necessarily a fan of horseback riding? No problem! Visit the farm to see the animals for free.

Ice Skating at Penguin Park

For only $8 a person (kids under 3 and spectators are free), come out to its new location at Murphy Aquatic Park in Avon, and check out Penguin Park to try your hand at ice skating on a synthetic rink. The rink is even bigger this year and more conducive to skating, so bring your friends!

Things to Do

  • Beasley’s Orchard
  • Enchanted Fair Trail | Several locations around Hendricks County
  • Natural Valley Ranch, horseback riding
  • Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park
  • Splash Island Family Waterpark

Parks, Playgrounds, & Gardens

  • Arbuckle Acres Park, Brownsburg
  • Avon Gardens
  • Avon Town Hall Park
  • Ellis Park, Danville
  • Hummel Park, Plainfield
  • Washington Township Park, Avon
  • Williams Park, Brownsburg
  • W.S. Gibbs Memorial Park, Danville

Kids Eat Free

Kids eat free and at discounted prices at so many restaurants in Indianapolis and the surrounding areas. Check out Indy with Kid's list in the link below.
Participating Restaurants
County Specific Resources

Exploring Hamilton County

Your guide to what is happening around Hamilton County. Check out more things to do, including events and restaurants at visithamiltoncounty.com.

Featured Winter Activity

Koteewi Run Seasonal Slopes

Koteewi Run Snow Tubing is part of the Strawtown Koteewi Park development being built by the Hamilton County, Indiana Parks & Recreation Department. It’s an outdoor recreation complex including a campground, hiking and horseback riding trails, a fishing lake, an archery range, canoe/kayak/tube rental, and a snow tubing hill, all situated next to the West Fork of the White River.

Snow tubing runs from December – early March. Check out their website for more information on dates, times, pricing, and more!

Things to Do

  • Birdies Mini Golf
  • Conner Prairie
  • Fishers Agripark
  • Morse & Geist Reservoirs
  • Mr. Muffin’s Trains
  • Nickel Plate District Amphitheater
  • Top Golf
  • Saxony Lake & Beach
  • Symphony on the Prairie

Parks, Playgrounds, & Gardens

  • Coxhall Children’s Gardens, Carmel
  • Cyntheanne Park, Fishers
  • Dr. James A. Dillon Park, Carmel
  • Finch Creek Park, Noblesville
  • Flat Fork Creek Park, Fishers
  • Forest Park, Noblesville
  • Founders Park, Carmel
  • Holland Park, Fishers
  • Lawrence W. Inlow Park, Carmel
  • Ritchey Woods Nature Preserve
  • Strawtown Koteewi Park, Noblesville
  • West Park, Carmel
  • Westermeier Commons Playground, Carmel

Indiana Access Pass

The Indiana Access Pass is a great way for families who qualify to visit several of the best Indiana museums and cultural institutions for $2 per person.
Apply Online
County Specific Resources

Exploring Marion County

Your guide to what is happening around Marion County. Check out more things to do, including events and restaurants at visitindy.com.

Featured Resource: Indy Attraction Pass

Spend a day exploring White River State Park, a morning at the Children’s Museum, or an afternoon at the Zoo. Calm down on the serene grounds of Newfields or get revved up at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum. You’ll have the flexibility and the freedom to spend as much, or as little, time at each destination with the Indy Attraction Pass.

All passes are delivered to your phone for safe, mobile entry. Please be aware of reserved ticketing at select attractions.

Things to Do

Museums

  • Children’s Museum of Indianapolis
  • Eiteljorg Museum
  • Indiana State Museum
  • Indiana State Police Museum
  • Indianapolis Zoo
  • Motor Speed Museum
  • NCAA Hall of Champions
  • Newfields, including the 100 Acres outdoor area
  • Rythem! Discovery Center

Family Attractions & Experiences

  • Belmont Beach
  • Canal Walk
  • Dallara IndyCar Factory
  • Duckpin Bowling, Fountain Square
  • Indianapolis Cultural Trail
  • Monon Trail
  • The Garage Food Hall
  • Trader’s Point Creamery
  • White River State Park & Gardens

Neighborhoods to Explore

  • Broad Ripple
  • Irvington
  • Fountain Square
  • Mass Ave.
  • Speedway

Parks, Playgrounds, & Gardens

  • Eagle Creek Park
  • Fort Harrison State Park
  • Garfield Park & Conservatory
  • Holliday Park
  • Indianapolis Colts Canal Playspace
  • Marrot Park
  • Opti-Park
  • Sandorf Park
  • Shawn Grove Park
  • Southeastway Park
  • Stout Field Park
  • Tarkington Park
  • Virginia B. Fairbanks Art & Nature Park
  • Wildwood Park

 

Around the state

Family Friendly Day Trips

No need to pack your bags or make a hotel reservation. Here are our top kid-friendly day trips from central Indiana that offer plenty of family fun.

  • Wonder Lab Science Museum | Bloomington, IN

  • Wolf Park | Battle Ground, IN

  • Fort Wayne Zoo | Fort Wayne, IN

  • Indiana Dunes | Porter, IN

  • Muncie Children’s Museum | Muncie, IN

  • Tippecanoe Battlefield Park | West Lafayette, IN

  • Fort Wayne Firefighter’s Museum | Fort Wayne, IN

  • Science Center | Fort Wayne, IN

  • Terre Haute Children’s Museum | Terre Haute, IN

  • Wilstem Wildlife Park | Paoli, IN

  • Kidscommons | Columbus, IN

Play & Learning

Family friendly at-home activities

Whether you are playing together as a family or searching for independent activities for your kiddos, combat those “I’m bored”‘s with these great hands-on play activities!

PDF Resource

LEGO Calendar

31 different LEGO activities for your preschool and school-age children.
Download
PDF Resource

60 Things to do with Toddlers

Toddlers have short attention spans, but are easily entertained. Check out these 60 simple activities to keep your toddlers busy.
Download
PDF Resource

Playdough Calendar

31 days of playdough, including things to add to make it more exciting. Fun for all ages!
Download

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